“Tana-”

Some part of her recognized her name, but she didn’t turn around until the small figures coffled behind her were safely handed over to the foreman.

“Slumming today, Khal?” she said, shoving her precious tally chit into a pocket.

“Still luring kids into slavery with drugged sweets, I see, little sister.”

She raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. I bring in more in an hour then some girls bring in all day. I work for a living. You won’t catch me starving like those larkis begging portside.”

Khal stared back, dark eyes glowing. “Their like-” he said, “it’s better than yours.”

“Then why not join them brother?” she said, “And eat dirt.”

“You know Aunty would forgive you if-”

“Our Aunty can meet me in hell.”

He shrugged. Silently, she watched him pull out his travpass. It chimed softly, and his form dissolved into the night.

“Good-bye,” she whispered, then turned back out of the shipyard, back to work. Ten more and her day’s quota would be won.